Inbox

An Abiding Anguish

Thank you for the insightful article describing Mother Teresa's crisis of faith [Sept. 3]. I appreciated the evocation of several tenets of Christianity as well as those of agnosticism and atheism. I believe Mother Teresa was as close to God as humanly possible, and I agree that a parallel exists between Christ's final moments on the Cross and Mother Teresa's final 50 years, during which she didn't feel the presence of God. Her life of faith, dedication and commitment despite incredible spiritual trials should inspire us all, regardless of our religious inclinations.

Barbara Bailey, ROCKLEDGE, FLA.

It has always appeared to me that deeply religious people use their faith to explain away the horrors of human experience. Believing that everything is part of God's master plan affords them the complacency of accepting the most terrible of tragedies. It is with the deepest respect that I read about the struggle of the real Mother Teresa, who, it now appears, had no such crutch. She soldiered on because she was a good and caring human helping her fellow man endure senseless suffering. If there is a God, Teresa is sitting at his side in heaven.

Diane Brennan, FLAGSTAFF, ARIZ.

As a pastor and servant of Jesus Christ, I had a strong response to the expose. It is unbelievable that the Roman Catholic Church would not respect Teresa's wishes to keep her struggles confidential. In my 30 years of serving, I have had many similar crises of faith. They are a normal part of the ministry and reflect the human condition. Those of us who serve the Lord Jesus Christ are not superhuman but are ordinary people living ordinary lives serving an extraordinary Saviour.

Chaplain Vincent E. Joy

ORLANDO, FLA.

Religious believers often cite feeling God's presence as proof of his existence. Now people point to Teresa's lack of feeling the presence of Jesus as proof of God's existence. These people note her courage in persevering despite severe doubts. If she had been even more courageous, she would have admitted she was an atheist. Helping the poor without a belief in a heavenly reward is one of the greatest aspects of secular humanism.

August Berkshire, MINNEAPOLIS

As a non-Catholic, I found that the article spiritually validated the notion that doubt is inherent in the human condition and serves as the fundamental catalyst that propels altruistic greatness. Mother Teresa's struggle with honest skepticism is a refreshing alternative to the hypocrisy that is so prevalent in organized religion today and has only increased my fondness and affection for her.

Gerd R. Naydock, WYNNEWOOD, PA.

I can't believe Mother Teresa's letters were printed. Imagine having your prayers publicized for the world to judge whether you are worthy of Christ. The book of Teresa's letters may be considered an amazing look into her heart and mind, but I see it as nothing more than a travesty.

Deneen Frye, PHILADELPHIA

I volunteered with the Missionaries of Charity for a month in the summer of 2001. Mother Teresa's letters reveal not a "darkness" but a vulnerability. I can only imagine the mental and spiritual fortitude that a lifelong commitment to oppressed people would demand. Each letter Teresa wrote was an attempt to sustain her spirit as she battled the effects of extreme poverty.

Zachary Davis, MODESTO, CALIF.

Vick's Vice

Michael Vick's cruelty to animals made him more famous than football alone could have [Sept. 3]. As a veterinary student who has worked in emergency rooms, I can say that the sight of a dog after a fight is horrific. These dogs are missing ears, are covered in excrement and sawdust and are in a state of shock, with a core body temperature that puts them closer to death than to life. Vick deserves everything he gets and more.

Anya Gambino, ITHACA, N.Y.

The picture that ran with the article showed Vick sporting his thug jewelry, thug dog, thug clothing and thug stance. That said it all.

Michele Adashek, LOS ANGELES

The 9/11 Candidate

Rudy Giuliani has no platform other than the fable he spins of what he did on 9/11 [Sept. 3]. The blood money he has pulled in from speaking engagements and his campaign fearmongering are more than this former Republican can stand. Someone needs to ask Giuliani why he doesn't have the support of many of the 9/11 first responders or their unions.

Jenn Coolidge, LAKELAND, FLA.

If ever a man has met his moment, Giuliani has. You can bet the farm that he will be elected by an overwhelming majority and prove to be one of the truly great Presidents --and world leaders--we have ever known. Just as he was in the face of his opponents when he was New York City's mayor, as President he will confront the U.S.'s enemies--domestic and foreign--and ride roughshod over them, doing whatever it takes to secure America. Thank God for giving us this man at this historical moment. This is not a time for sissies, political posers or come-lately lightweights.

James Harrison Cohen, NEW YORK CITY

Giuliani and the Republicans keep trying to convince us that only they are tough enough to fight terrorists and keep us safe. I seem to recall that on 9/11 the terrorists boarded planes in a state that had a Republican Governor and did their worst damage in a city that had a Republican mayor and a state that had a Republican Governor--all while a Republican was in the White House.

Ron Spiegel, PHILADELPHIA

Lady Di's Legacy

Why do people still love Princess Diana [Sept. 3]? Because she was compassionate, warm and humane. Why are Prince Charles and Camilla unpopular? Because they seem unethical, cold and selfish. Diana left the world an infinitely rewarding message of generosity and kindness.

Akikazu Nagatomi, KUNITACHI CITY, JAPAN

Alas, after the death of the Princess of Wales, the people I knew were not "snuffling into their tissues." They were shrugging their shoulders over this dim, vastly undereducated clotheshorse, this media creation who had fallen harder for her own myth than even her besotted admirers. As I heard people make ridiculous references to Diana's "worldwide humanitarian achievements," as I saw crowds sobbing hysterically over mounds of rotting flowers, I can't say that my opinion of the British (normally quite high) was at all improved. Ten years later, some people are still obsessed by the silly creature, largely, I suspect, because they're obsessed with princess fantasies. Let's hope that once this anniversary is past, they will get a grip, grow up and move on.

Leslie Brown Kessler, CHICAGO

Diana mattered not only to Britain, but to the whole world, as indicated by the global grief that accompanied her death. She made the world a better place for all.

Sonja Rencken

ABCOUDE, THE NETHERLANDS

Goodbye, World of Make-Believe

Joel Stein wrote that "The fakery of the Weekly World News was built on the fear that comes from ignorance" [Aug. 27]. The dude should lighten up. I am a college graduate bored with people who go "seeking catharsis in the real life of Paris Hilton." Weekly World News was a blast to read. Long live Bat Boy, P'Lod, Shaved Ape Baby, Bigfoot and the rest. I shall miss them all.

Joanie McCleary, MARION, VA.